CAMDEN, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University was facing the No. 1 ranked team in NCAA Division III men's soccer for the first time on record in its history on September 12 and gave Christopher Newport University all it could handle before the Captains scored the golden goal winner in the 95th minute and survived for a 1-0 win in one overtime in the opening round of the 15th annual Cialella Soccer Classic, hosted by Rutgers-Camden.
 
CNU (5-0), ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division III by D3soccer.com and No. 8 in the preseason by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), outshot the Gothic Knights (1-3), 24-5, including 3-0 in overtime. The Captains held a 12-3 margin in shots in the opening half and 9-2 in the second period.
 
But NJCU freshman goalkeeper John Riggs (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) had by far his best game as a collegian, making a career-high 12 saves—five in each period of regulation and two in overtime.
 
Ultimately, the 2014 NCAA Elite 8 qualifiers would not be denied. Ryan Balfour, who had five shots in the game including four on goal for the Captains, put two on frame to start overtime in the 91st and 93rd minutes. Both were saved by Riggs, including one on the near left post. But two minutes later Balfour capitalized on a loose, bouncing in the box, winning the ball on the near left post and firing the unassisted winner across to the right side at 94:10.
 
CNU, which had a goal negated by offsides in the 58th minute, had two other solid chances in the second half. In the 75th minute, a header shot by Zachary Ballard on the right side was set aside on a great save by Riggs. With 1:22 remaining, a shot by Sean Christein hit the left post.
 
Patrick Burns led the game with six shots for CNU, putting four on goal. Junior back Davauni Brown (Newark, NJ/Newark Tech) had three of NJCU's five shots.
 
QUOTABLE:
Head Coach Patrick Snyder (fourth season) on the outcome:
 
"The boys battled and defended great as a unit. We looked at it [the game] like playing another NJAC game. They [CNU] were strong and well-disciplined with some talented players."
 
OF NOTE:

• CNU leads all-time series, 2-0-1.

• First meeting since September 14, 2008 in Newport News, Va. (0-0, 2 OT). CNU also defeated NJCU, 5-1, on September 1, 2000.
• The game marked the first time on record NJCU has faced a team ranked as high as No. 1 or No. 2 in a national poll.
• NJCU lost a 1-0 game to a Top 5 nationally ranked team for the first time since a 1-0 loss to #5 Johns Hopkins on September 11, 2010, also in Camden, NJ.
• Starting senior forward Tyler Krychkowski (North Arlington, NJ/North Arlington) was injured 4:04 into the first half and did not return.
• NJCU's first overtime game of the season and 126th in its history. NJCU is 26-29-71 all-time in overtime.
• NJCU faces Manhattanville College on day two of the tournament. Host Rutgers-Camden defeated M-Ville, 3-2.